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gschindel's avatar
gschindel
Explorer
Dec 09, 2013

What can a tahoe really tow?

I'm trying to decide if a tahoe would pull my 30' bullet. It weighs in at 5030 dry. I'm guessing we add another 1500 to 2000 pounds loaded up. The hitch weight lists at 540.

The tahoe supposedly pulls 8200 with the 5.3. And has a max tongue weight of 1000lb

Seems like all should be fine but would love to hear your opinions. Especially if you have one or know someone who does. I currently use a durango with the hemi and the 3.55 rear end and the aid of dual cam sway/weight distribution bars. It does fine for all the towing we do. Only difference I can see moving to a tahoe is a couple of inches less wheel base. Would that make a significant difference?

Thanks much for all the help so far. I know I've been going around in circles a bit trying to figure out what to get. You've all been very patient.

This is a post I found on another site that seems helpful

"My wife pulled a 30' 6k# (scaled loaded to travel) TT several tens of thousands of miles over several years with an 05 Tahoe. Never had a problem with it and she doesn't like to tow unless she has too. If it was any kind of issue I can promise you I would have never heard the end of that and that combination would have been history quick."

Now if he could keep his wife happy with the older tahoe surly the newer one with a 6 speed should keep even my wife happy ;)?

25 Replies

  • If you have the option to go with the suburban then do it for the longer wheel base. It makes a huge differance.
  • A 2009+ Tahoe with 5.3L/6-spd/3.42 axle will outperform your current TV. More payload, better chassis, better gearing will all contribute.
  • Thanks. 2 adults 2 teenagers in the tahoe all the stuff in the trailer. I don't have a specific tahoe in mind but I would want the 5.3 and get one new enough to have the 6 speed transmission with all the towing necessities. Guess I would need to weigh my trailer to know for sure what it weighs for sure.
  • How many people and how much stuff in the tahoe? What year tahoe?
    Just plane insufficient information to make any sort of educated guess.
    BTW dry weight numbers are a useless sales gimmick designed to sell you more trailer than your vehicle can handle. You will never see that trailer anywhere close to that number ever.
  • I'd do it with the right equipment and the right load.

    That being, right gears, transmission cooler, brake controller, WD hitch with some sort of sway control. (I don't care what you use, just use some kind of wd and sway control). And really good tires (P plus or LT)

    I did it with an old 97 f150.